Watauga, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watauga, Carter County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watauga?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 79 days in the Northwest Carter forecast zone and Carter County — the most common reported hazard around Watauga, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (39 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Sep 2025 | Jul 8, 2016 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Sep 2024 | Jan 7, 1998 · 7 deaths · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Sep 2024 | Dec 2, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Mar 2021 | Feb 23, 2019 · $1.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2010 | Dec 16, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 1999 | Aug 18, 1999 · $30,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Northwest Carter forecast zone and Carter County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Watauga get?
A normal year brings about 6.0 inches of snow to Watauga, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elizabethton weather station 2.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Watauga?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 63 miles west-southwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Watauga | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 63 mi west-southwest | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 102 mi north-northwest | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 103 mi south | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Watauga
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watauga, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 22 miles southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 14, 2023, which touched down about 21 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 171 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on October 8, 1960.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Watauga's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Watauga radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watauga, TN?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 63 miles west-southwest. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watauga?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watauga the lowest scan from KMRX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watauga free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Watauga, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Elizabethton, TN radar 4 mi
- Johnson City, TN radar 5 mi
- Bluff City, TN radar 6 mi
- Unicoi, TN radar 10 mi
- Jonesborough, TN radar 11 mi
- Bristol, TN radar 14 mi
- Erwin, TN radar 17 mi
- Kingsport, TN radar 17 mi
- Mount Carmel, TN radar 25 mi
- Church Hill, TN radar 26 mi